I am currently looking to purchase a FJR or a GTR 1400. I very much like the GTR however, I have a concern. I have read some articles where the GTR can be a pig when using the rear brake because the percentage of front braking with the linking system is too great. Some people have said that this has been a problem if a little rear brake is required in a bend or when coming up to the lights to make a stop.
I understand that you can't believe everything you read on the internet but I would be interested in the views of riders within this forum on there experiences with the linked braking system.
You are able to set the distribution ratio.
I have found absolutely no problem with the system on my bike and I have done quite a few track days with her as well. Even trailing the front brake in corners is not an issue.
Deon
- the problem is the abruptness of the engagement of the right front caliper when the rear brake pedal is used.
- ie , when you press down on the rear brake pedal , you get a little rear brake engagement , then when you press a little more you get more rear brake , then with a little more pressure , all of a sudden the front comes in and makes the bike dive.
- this abruptness if less will the low-combined setting , and worse with the high-combined setting.
- that said , a complete brake fluid flush "almost" cured that abruptness issue on my GTR and anyway , I never use the rear brake pedal nowadays.
- the GTR has very good brakes.
.
Quote from: simo on October 31, 2013, 03:52:24 AM
I am currently looking to purchase a FJR or a GTR 1400
- that FJR (the new model with traction control and electronic suspension) deserves a very close look. She only lacks a 6th gear ...
.
I've never had any problems with either of the three GTRs I've owned, and I have ridden my bikes in all conditions from motorway to small 'B' roads ...don't believe all that you read simo :nono:
Is the adjustment on the ratio of front brake a user setting or does it have to be done in the workshop?
User adjustable. Page 45/46 of handbook.
Press and hold the K-ACT button for more than one second/less than three seconds to toggle between high and low modes.
Mode one is less than mode two.
K-ACT symbol in bottom r/h part of screen to left of petrol pump symbol.
Simo,
I think you have to go for a really long ride, and I mean 'really long'. Both bikes are good and have their own individuality.
With the FJR nothing much in terms of comfort has changed over the years and I confess ( having both the bikes ) that I can ride a lot lot further on the GTR than on the FJR now that I have it set up the way I want. And the kick of the GTR gives you more of a buzz. Its just a shame the screen doesn't work on the cantilever the same way.
GTR feels bigger, and gives you plenty of protection from the weather, FJR at high speeds seems as though its screaming its nuts off, but that is the way it likes it and will easily go for 100,000 miles plus.
Brakes ?, I don't use them that much unless I want to stop or in town traffic, so cant say whether its good or bad. Use the engine braking unless your doing track days.
Both bikes have their little niggles, but I will try the new 2014 FJR when available, but at £14500 is it worth the extra ? time will tell.
Its an individual thing as to who thinks what is best, i wish you the best with your search. :yes:
Opps
Simo, just realised you don't actually own the bike yet, but I would agree with OC, you do get used to it once you have ridden/owned the bike for a while.
Thanks guys for your input. A long test ride is the next step. I will report back when I have had a ride.
I've just read an article in November 'Bike' Magazine under the new "know How" section , which seeks to extoll the virtues of the new Yamaha FJR 1300 which, is no doubt, a very accomplished machine, but the report self destructs any of its credibility when it concludes by saying
"Its better that the Kawasaki GTR that I brought here in 2010 that Bucked, wobbled and ploughed furrows deep enough to swallow a whole GSX-R 600" :mfr_lol:
Well I've read some shite in various bike Mags in my time, but this report written by Mike Armitage 'New Bike Editor' just about beats them all, mind you the article is headed "Bike BIKES the monthly soap opera of the Bike team and their motorcycles"...................nuff said I reckon
Would this be the same Mr Mike Armitage that thought the best bit of the GTR was the indicator switch ?
I held off buying a GTR till I had ridden one because of his comments.
Yes if you fight it .................it is hard work and the suspension is choppy at the front and bouncy at the back till you've set it up........................is that not the reason it has adjustment to personalise the ride ??
The turn in can be fort with effort or................you relax and learn to steer from the hips and let it work for you.
Gut less in 6th gear ............need to drop it 2 gears to make progress.........................In no road test I've read does anyone talk about the high Overdrive 6th gear giving a relaxed cruse !!!!
It has a 5sp box plus Overdrive..........................God Dam it Mr A the manufactures even put an icon stating OD on the dash.
Poor fuelling and low speed throttle jerk on power take up.................I think not Mr A
After my ride which I had to admit I thought was to dismiss the bike from my list of potential purchases I found myself grinning from ear to ear on the discovery that it did not steer like A Yamaha 750FZX
I wanted a sports bike :evil: that was practical :sleep1:
I found a compromise in the GTR that I found acceptable ...............more so in the Knowledge that I'd saved £9k over a K1600GT specked to my liking :surrender:
I've yet to read a road test that recognises that the GTR is not a full fat touring bike but a practical bit of serious fun that has challenges to meet and master in the fun and satisfaction of long term ownership and pleasure of riding.
:gun_bandana: :gunsmilie: :gun_bandana:
:listencarefully: Go make your own mind up ......................there is no such thing as bad product these days. It just finding the one that fits your bill.
OK ............ok I admit it ................I'm off for a sugar fix now :single fuck: :mfr_lol:
Quote from: pistole on October 31, 2013, 06:58:44 AM...........and anyway , I never use the rear brake pedal nowadays.
.
Beng the owner of an 09 GTR without linked brakes but having had a cbf1000 with linked brakes - can i ask "dont you need to use F&R brakes to get the full braking force on the front?" This was the case on the cbf as the rear brake only worked on pot on one side on the front.
P
Quote from: Charlie747 on November 07, 2013, 08:13:52 AM
The turn in can be fort with effort or................you relax and learn to steer from the hips and let it work for you.
Better yet ditch the POS Bridgestones and fit some real tyres and all the handling woes go away.
Remember that BIKE test the bike as delivered from Kawasaki.
Kawi really need to ditch fitting Bridgestones as OEM fitment as they are killing their sales.
Quote from: Boomer on November 07, 2013, 01:31:45 PM
Better yet ditch the POS Bridgestones and fit some real tyres and all the handling woes go away.
Remember that BIKE test the bike as delivered from Kawasaki.
Kawi really need to ditch fitting Bridgestones as OEM fitment as they are killing their sales.
I cant believe that anyone would not buy a certain bike, because of the tyres that are fitted from new. :no: :shocked:
Having had both a 2006 FJR and a 2011 GTR I can say that the brakes were similar, with the GTR having better performance (though when comparing it to a tired FJR with 60K on the clock it was bound to feel better).
The only thing I don't like is that on the GTR, when pressing front and rear brakes, then letting one go, the other will go soft/spongy as it takes up some slack. This didn't happen on the FJR, as the feel was the same regardless of what the other brake was doing.
I have a 2010 GTR and ride lots of FJR's. In isolation the FJR is not a bad bike, I find it vibey, with a strange habit of "dropping in" when slow speed maneuvering and it feels like bikes I had years ago. Just my opinion and I know several people who own them and love them.
The GTR however is a whole different ball game, it's all been said before but the bottom line is, take one for a decent test ride. Not easy because there aren't many dealers who keep a demo and second hand ones are hard to find. Make sure, the front tyre isn't worn though, that can sometimes upset the handling and you won't get a true feeling for what the bike can do.
As for linked brakes, the GTR is no more or less linked than an FJR, ride them all like you've never heard of linking and you can't go wrong!
Chris
I didn't have any issue with the OEMs. They handled fine for me.
Quote from: 100milesaway on November 07, 2013, 04:15:11 PM
I cant believe that anyone would not buy a certain bike, because of the tyres that are fitted from new. :no: :shocked:
People take them for a test ride though and it's rare that you get to the test ride bike before it has a couple thousand miles on it.
If the handling feels off you are not going to enjoy the test ride and are not going to buy the bike.
If you supply a bike to the press with poor tyres they will slate it and you will lose sales like crazy.
Since they keep on supplying 1400GTRs fitted with BT021s I assume that Kawasaki just don't want those sales.
My OEM Bridgepoops were shot after 2500 miles. and the handling was awful.
Even when new I didn't trust the tyres as they felt vague and unresponsive.
Do bear in mind that I have a LOT of extra weight on the front wheel with my fat arse plonked on the bike.
However, whether you try an Angel, PR2, PR3, RoadSmart, Storm or whatever, you will find that for feel and handling they are all head and shoulders above the BT021.
Last time I rode a bike with a tyre that felt as bad as the new BT021 was when I fitted Avon Ditchfinders (RoadRunners) on my GS550E.
Quote from: Boomer on November 08, 2013, 08:55:55 AM
People take them for a test ride though and it's rare that you get to the test ride bike before it has a couple thousand miles on it.
If the handling feels off you are not going to enjoy the test ride and are not going to buy the bike.
If you supply a bike to the press with poor tyres they will slate it and you will lose sales like crazy.
Since they keep on supplying 1400GTRs fitted with BT021s I assume that Kawasaki just don't want those sales.
My OEM Bridgepoops were shot after 2500 miles. and the handling was awful.
Even when new I didn't trust the tyres as they felt vague and unresponsive.
Do bear in mind that I have a LOT of extra weight on the front wheel with my fat arse plonked on the bike.
However, whether you try an Angel, PR2, PR3, RoadSmart, Storm or whatever, you will find that for feel and handling they are all head and shoulders above the BT021.
Last time I rode a bike with a tyre that felt as bad as the new BT021 was when I fitted Avon Ditchfinders (RoadRunners) on my GS550E.
Whilst accepting your point on test rides, and also being in agreement regarding tyre wear on the 021s. For me, after using the 021s, PR3s and finally Roadsmarts. The original Bridgestones were the only ones that didn't deform dramatically. And even though I only got 4500 out of the 021s, they did feel good right to the end, I didn't fare much better with the other 2 either mileage wise, as both only did 5 thousand miles each, but both felt awful long before that.
But Geoff, I'm surprised any tyres last with the way you throw the bike about :mfr_lol:
Now, with Steve, I bet he's still got the original tyres on his bike
When I first test drove a GTR the handling was poor, but I'd already read that was because of the tyres. When I eventually bought the GTR, first thing I did was to upgrade the tyres.
Quote from: Kwikasfuki on November 08, 2013, 10:12:29 AM
But Geoff, I'm surprised any tyres last with the way you throw the bike about :mfr_lol:
Now, with Steve, I bet he's still got the original tyres on his bike
When I first test drove a GTR the handling was poor, but I'd already read that was because of the tyres. When I eventually bought the GTR, first thing I did was to upgrade the tyres.
Also what must be remembered is the early GTRs wore the earlier version of the tyre, and from the upgrade model 010 onward, a different structure was used. So folk who had the first incarnation of the bike, and didn't like the tyres, wont know what the upgraded tyre felt like. I am still adamant that the later version of the tyre is as good if not better (for me) than the others that I used.
Quote from: 100milesaway on November 08, 2013, 10:30:07 AM
Also what must be remembered is the early GTRs wore the earlier version of the tyre, and from the upgrade model 010 onward, a different structure was used. So folk who had the first incarnation of the bike, and didn't like the tyres, wont know what the upgraded tyre felt like. I am still adamant that the later version of the tyre is as good if not better (for me) than the others that I used.
Yep this is true , the difference between my 2008 and 2010 GTRs OEM Bridgestones was amazing.
I had swapped the OEM Bridgestones on my 2008 GTR for PR2s, but when I then tested the 2010 Demo which was shod with later OEM Bridgestones it felt much better, more responsive and stable than my 2008 bike with PR2s
I changed the OEM Bridgestones on my 2011 GTR for PR3s and that improved the bike even more. :wink:
Quote from: O.C. on November 08, 2013, 10:39:00 AM
I changed the OEM Bridgestones on my 2011 GTR for PR3s and that improved the bike even more. :wink:
PR4 Are on the way ?
Probably :yes: dunno when tho' :no:
Asif, I have finally changed the rear PR3, I felt that after 10k+ miles and it being on the bike over a year and half what the hell, splash out, buy another! :grin:
:mfr_lol:
Quote from: Charlie747 on November 09, 2013, 10:48:39 PM
:mfr_lol:
Eh, you can laugh but I'm expecting another couple of thou out of the front yet, You've got to get your money's worth these days.